Shota Nakajima

Shota Nakajima

Keynote Speaker: Japanese-American Chef & Restaurateur; Three-Time James Beard Award Semi-Finalist; Fan Favorite on "Top Chef: Portland"; Founder of Taku

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    Live Event Fee: $10,000 - $20,000
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Shota Nakajima Biography

Shota Nakajima is a Japanese-American chef, restaurateur, and television personality known for his contributions to Japanese cuisine and the Pacific Northwest restaurant industry. Nakajima began his culinary career at 16, working at a sushi restaurant in Seattle, Washington. At 18, he moved to Osaka to attend Tsuji Culinary Arts School, where he trained under Michelin Star-rated chef Yasuhiko Sakamoto, an experience that influenced his approach to food and cooking.

After returning to Seattle, Nakajima launched several restaurant ventures, including the catering business Kappo Kitchen, the kaiseki restaurant Naka, and later Adana, a more casual Japanese dining concept. He also opened Taku, specializing in karaage, Japanese fried chicken, and Kobo Pizza, which offers Detroit-style pizzas with Japanese influences. Through these ventures, Nakajima has blended Japanese culinary traditions with American flavors, making Japanese cuisine more accessible in the Pacific Northwest.

Nakajima is a three-time James Beard Award semi-finalist and an Eater Young Guns winner. He has competed on Food Network's "Iron Chef Gauntlet," appeared on "Beat Bobby Flay"—where he won with his signature tempura dish—and participated in "Tournament of Champions" and "Bobby's Triple Threat." Nakajima was a runner-up and Fan Favorite on "Top Chef: Portland" and has been recognized in Zagat's 30 Under 30 list.

Nakajima's television appearances and restaurant concepts have established him as a prominent figure in the culinary world, particularly in Japanese and fusion cuisine. Based in Seattle, he continues to share his experiences and insights, contributing to the evolving landscape of American and Japanese gastronomy.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Shota Nakajima and other top speakers and celebrities.

How do I book Shota Nakajima to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Shota Nakajima for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Shota Nakajima, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Shota Nakajima or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Shota Nakajima for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Shota Nakajima, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $10,000 - $20,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Shota Nakajima, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Shota Nakajima speak about?

Shota Nakajima is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Hospitality, Celebrity Chef, Television & Film, Reality TV and Asian & Pacific Heritage.

Where does Shota Nakajima travel from?

Shota Nakajima generally travels from Seattle, WA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Shota Nakajima?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Shota Nakajima for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Shota Nakajima for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Shota Nakajima or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Shota Nakajima is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Hospitality, Celebrity Chef and Television & Film. The estimated speaking fee range to book Shota Nakajima for live events is $10,000 - $20,000. Please contact us for virtual event fees. Shota Nakajima generally travels from Seattle, WA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Arnold Myint, Tiffani Faison and Edward Lee. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Shota Nakajima for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 13/10/2026.
  • How do I book Shota Nakajima to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Shota Nakajima for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Shota Nakajima, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Shota Nakajima or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Shota Nakajima for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Shota Nakajima, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $10,000 - $20,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Shota Nakajima, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Shota Nakajima speak about?

    Shota Nakajima is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Hospitality, Celebrity Chef, Television & Film, Reality TV and Asian & Pacific Heritage.
  • Where does Shota Nakajima travel from?

    Shota Nakajima generally travels from Seattle, WA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Shota Nakajima?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Shota Nakajima for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Shota Nakajima for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Shota Nakajima or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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SHOTA NAKAJIMA

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All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.